Knitting charts are ways to write down knitting instructions without using a lot of words. It is a visual representation of the pattern you are knitting. Which would you rather see an instruction that says; knit 3 stitches in color one (red), then 2 stitches in color two (blue) alternating across the row or knit 3 purl stitches the 2 knit stitches alternating across the row.

Or:

Or:

p

p

k

k

k

p

p

k

k

k

If you prefer the chart, you would then read the chart from right to left, much as your stitches are worked, for the right side rows or odd rows and left to right for the wrong side side rows or even rows.

A simple example of an actual knitting chart for knit one, purl one ribbing would be:

Table key:

An empty square equals a knit stitch on the right side or odd rows and a purl stitch on the wrong side or even rows.

A "-" or dash means a purl on the on the right side or odd rows or a knit on the wrong side or even rows.

-

-

-

-

-

5

-

-

-

-

-

4

-

-

-

-

-

3

-

-

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

1

Remember to read the chart right to left on the odd rows and left to right on the even rows, picture working from one row, turning your work and working the next row.